From the Doormat to the Palace: Receiving an MBE

I arrived home from the usual school run, juggling bags, keys, and my thoughts, when I spotted a letter on the doormat.

What caught my eye was the royal emblem on the envelope — not something you see every day. I thought, Well, this is different.

I opened it up. Inside was the incredible news that I had been recommended to His Majesty the King to receive an MBE in the Birthday Honours List 2025.

I stood there taking it in — a once-in-a-lifetime kind of moment — while my nine-year-old daughter was bouncing around the kitchen demanding snacks and screen time like it was any other Tuesday.

In many ways, it was a typical day. But that envelope marked a milestone in what has been a very personal, very determined journey; one that started 23 years ago when I was an international dressage groom.

Being awarded an MBE is an extraordinary honour — one I receive with deep gratitude, not just on my behalf, but on behalf of every groom I’ve worked alongside and advocated for over the last 20 years. This recognition is not just for me — it’s for all grooms in the background, working early mornings and late nights, caring for horses with skill, passion, and often without much fanfare.

My work over the past two decades has grown out of my own experience as a groom. I know what it’s like to live and breathe this life — the long hours, the dedication, the sense of pride that comes from doing a job that’s so physically and emotionally demanding, yet often overlooked.

I’ve spent the last 20 years fighting for better recognition, support, and rights for grooms across the UK and beyond. As a social entrepreneur, I believe passionately in only Good Employment in the equestrian workplace. I formed the British Grooms Association (BGA) in 2007 and from this followed the Equestrian Employers Association (EEA) and the International Grooms Association (IGA).

At the heart of all our work is this Good Employment mission, something that was born from my own experience of poor employment, bullying, and the lack of recognition of my role and skill set.

There is no justifiable reason for any equestrian yard/barn not to be practising Good Employment.

The BGA offers all grooms (and parents) the information required to understand employment status, legal working hours, National Minimum Wage compliance etc etc.

For the employers, it is your job to adhere to all employment and health and safety legislation, and the EEA is here to help you to do so. There is no excuse anymore, so why do over 50% of grooms still work without the simplest employment right – a written contract of employment?

The equestrian industry must modernise. We will never attract and retain our workforce if it doesn’t, and I will continue to take phone calls from grooms in tears because of their substandard employment experience.

This MBE feels like a moment where the grooms’ voices are being heard — where the contribution of grooms to the equestrian world is being publicly acknowledged at the highest level. And that means everything to me.

To all grooms, and especially our BGA members: this honour is a symbol of what we already know — that the work you do matters. It’s important. You are not invisible. Keep showing up. Keep caring. Keep fighting for better. We’re moving forward, together. The industry is changing – we can see it and we hear it – but we are not there yet.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the journey so far. Whether it’s been a conversation at a show, completing one of our surveys or introducing your friend or colleague to join the BGA — this is for you too.

Finally, a thank you to the current and former members of the BGA, EEA and IGA teams. All former grooms themselves, and equally passionate about seeing our industry become a safe and happy place to have a brilliant career working with horses.

For me personally, my Mum has had the greatest time ever telling all her friends, and my daughter has already informed that she is absolutely “not wearing a dress to Buckingham Palace!”

>> Explore our membership options and join the BGA today

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>> Do you groom at FEI events? Join the International Grooms Association today